A False Cancer Diagnosis Can Wreak Havoc

Cancer? No cancer? Treatment? No treatment? Not having cancer is great news, right? Sure. But if it follows a false cancer diagnosis, it can leave physical, emotional, and financial repercussions. If you or a loved one was falsely diagnosed with cancer, know that there are options. With Hampton & King by your side, you can seek justice for such negligence. Contact us today to discuss your case and how we can help. 

Frank Barrera was in his late 40s when the news broke. He had prostate cancer. It’s difficult to imagine all the scrambling he and his family had to do. Barrera was ready to take on any necessary treatment. And that included surgery. 

Frank Barrera needed to have his prostate removed. He agreed, and the day of the surgery was finally here. He went through his pre-op procedures. IV therapy had begun. The operating room was set for the surgeon. His surgery was about to begin. 

But a call came back from the pathology department. Frank Barrera’s prostate cancer wasn’t really cancer. He was given a false cancer diagnosis. 

A man was laying on the operating room to have his prostate removed. But it would have all been for nothing. 

Sure it was a relief knowing he didn’t actually have cancer. But what if he had gone through with the surgery? What about all the other medication and treatment he underwent? A false cancer diagnosis certainly impacted the Barrera family through unnecessary financial burden, emotional distress, and physical pain. 

How Doctors Falsely Diagnose Cancer 

Being diagnosed with cancer is scary. A false cancer diagnosis is also frightening. 

So how does a trained medical professional get it wrong? How can someone who has no trace of cancer be diagnosed with the disease? 

Doctor errors are not uncommon. Sometimes they result in no negative effect. Unfortunately however, many errors can lead to injuries and unnecessary medical intervention. A false cancer diagnosis can lead to treatment/medication that isn’t needed. It can also result in unnecessary surgeries. This is all while a true, underlying condition is left unidentified. While cancer is falsely diagnosed, the actual disease can progress if left untreated. This can lead to permanent injuries, or even death. 

Cancer is diagnosed through screening tests. These include x-rays, blood work, and other scans. While some screens come back clear, others need further evaluation from the doctor. This is where many errors may occur. However, a doctor should be experienced enough to order further testing to confirm or deny a diagnosis. 

Sometimes, doctors may even diagnose through symptoms. And because many conditions share the same symptoms, it’s easy to falsely label them as something else. For example, endometriosis and ovarian cancer share many of the same symptoms. Some doctors may then give a false cancer diagnosis to a patient with endometriosis.

Side Effects Of A False Cancer Diagnosis

While many think hearing you don’t actually have cancer is good news, it comes with many devastating side effects. 

A false cancer diagnosis likely means you’re undergoing unnecessary treatment. And taking unnecessary medications. Many patients who were wrongfully diagnosed with cancer end up suffering from one or more of the following:

• Loss of hair 
• Anemia 
• Severe weight loss
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neuropathy
• Constipation
• Chemobrain

Filing A False Cancer Diagnosis Lawsuit

While those around you may be celebrating your false cancer diagnosis, you know it’s not that straightforward. Only you and your loved ones know what a toll this inaccurate diagnosis had. From the emotional distress, to the health issues. From the out-of-pocket costs to an actual condition that was left untreated. A false cancer diagnosis is not as good as it may sound. 

With the right help, you can fil a lawsuit against your doctor. You can receive the justice and compensation you deserve. 

Here’s what you need first:

• Gather all of your evidence. This includes:
  1. All test results 
  2. Communication between you and your provider
  3. Hospital bills
  4. Prescriptions

• Prove that the injuries and health issues you sustained were because of a doctor’s negligence. If you never received a false cancer diagnosis, you would not have to endure certain medical interventions.
• Act quickly! There is a strict statute of limitations when it comes to medical malpractice cases.

We trust our doctors to provide us with top-notch medical care. That includes giving us an accurate diagnosis within a reasonable time frame. If you did not receive the correct diagnosis, and it led to other health issues, we can help. Together we can hold negligent doctors accountable. Call us today to discuss your false cancer diagnosis.